City of North Charleston wins Better Government Competition

The Pioneer Institute, Boston, MA-based, independent non-partisan research organization, recently announced that the City of North Charleston placed nationally in the Institute’s 2013 Better Government Competition. For the competition, the Institute sought ideas from governmental entities and non-profit organizations on facilitating locally-based programs for job creation.

North Charleston will receive a $1,000 allocation, based on an essay submitted to the Institute last April, entitled “Sustainable Urban Redevelopment: Reinventing the Local Economy”. The City was selected as a winner in a field that included more than 100 applicants. Use of the funds is yet to be determined.

“This year’s theme of job growth is one of the country’s biggest challenges,” says Shawni Littlehale, director of the Better Government Competition. “We received hundreds of proposals from across the country, and we know that the winning solutions, if implemented, will make a real impact on our quality of life.”

“The many companies locating in the City of North Charleston have invested over a billion dollars, creating thousands of new jobs,” says Summey. “This is a validation that the City’s business environment is ripe for economic prosperity.”

The Pioneer Institute selected North Charleston based on an aggressive, pro-business stance that includes a long term, holistic redevelopment plan for the City’s historic neighborhoods, including Park Circle, the former Charleston Naval Base and the East Montague Business Corridor. Job training programs and industry recruitment, in collaboration with state and regional governments, were also key factors in North Charleston’s selection.

The Pioneer Institute will formerly present the awards September 30, honoring the 2013 winner and runners up. Forbes magazine publisher Steve Forbes will be the keynote speaker at the event.

“Business and job growth in North Charleston foster an improved quality of life, and a better community for all of our citizens,” adds Summey. “A rising tide truly lifts all boats.”

About Pioneer Institute

Pioneer Institute is an independent, non-partisan, privately funded research organization that seeks to improve the quality of life in Massachusetts and beyond, through civic discourse and intellectually vigorous, data-driven public policy solutions based on free market principles, individual liberty and responsibility, and the ideal of effective, limited and accountable government. Pioneer’s work promotes high-quality public schools, affordable healthcare, effective but frugal government, and greater economy opportunity for its residents. The Institute makes an impact on public policy through rigorous research by leading scholars, press appearances, social media, and education sessions with legislators.

About The Better Government Competition

The Competition: The Pioneer Institute’s Better Government Competition, founded in 1991, is an annual citizens’ idea contest that seeks out and rewards the most innovative public policy proposals. Over the last two decades, ideas generated by the Better Government Competition have helped Pioneer save Commonwealth taxpayers over $750 million and improve the quality of the public services they receive.